Understanding the Other Ukraine: Identity and Allegiance in Russophone Ukraine

Petro, Nicolai N.

Understanding the Other Ukraine: Identity and Allegiance in Russophone Ukraine

Richard Sakwa and Agnieszka Pikulicka-Wilczewska, eds., Ukraine and Russia: People, Politics, Propaganda and Perspectives, Bristol, United Kingdom: E-International Relations Edited Collections, 2015, pp. 19-35

23 Pages Posted: 8 Mar 2015

See all articles by Nicolai N. Petro

Nicolai N. Petro

University of Rhode Island

Date Written: March 1, 2015

Abstract

The cultural and political differences besetting Ukraine are the product of very different patterns of regional settlement. Among these, the settlement of eastern and southern Ukraine stands out, for in these traditionally Russophone regions, political conflict has arisen whenever the legitimacy of Russian culture in Ukraine has been challenged.

This article looks at the history of Russian settlement east of the Dniepr River, explores the significance of the past for the present conflict, and calls for acknowledging the obvious reality that Ukraine is, at its heart, bilingual and bicultural.

Keywords: Ukraine, Russia, Donbass, Crimea

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Petro, Nicolai N., Understanding the Other Ukraine: Identity and Allegiance in Russophone Ukraine (March 1, 2015). Richard Sakwa and Agnieszka Pikulicka-Wilczewska, eds., Ukraine and Russia: People, Politics, Propaganda and Perspectives, Bristol, United Kingdom: E-International Relations Edited Collections, 2015, pp. 19-35, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2574762